Swinging on a Star Read Online Free PDF Page A

everything.
    “Oh, well, I, um—”
    “Oh, that’s too bad!” Marian said. “We’re actually headed out to dinner, and Bella’s going along for the ride.”
    “I—I am?” I looked at her, startled.
    “Well, sure. We still have a few things to discuss pertaining to the wedding. We can’t do this without you.”
    Yikes . “I see.” My thoughts shifted into overdrive. How could I make this work? I’d have to call D.J., of course. He would understand. But Rosa . . . now that was a different story. I gave my sister what I hoped would be taken as a sorrowful look. “Sorry, but I guess I’ll have to give Aunt Rosa a rain check.”
    “She’s going to murder you in your sleep.” Sophia’s eyes narrowed. “You know how she is about her food. If you don’t show up . . .”
    “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it. Sorry. Business before pleasure and all that.”
    “I guess you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.” My sister gave me a curious look—probably due to my less than enthusiastic response—then took another step into the room, smiling in Marian and Rob’s direction. “So, how’s the wedding planning coming? I heard all about this castle you’re getting married in. Sounds amazing. Are you two ready to ride off into the sunset on white horses?”
    “Y-yes.” Marian nodded, then shifted her gaze to Brock, who stood tightly pressed behind the door. Probably by now the Hollywood hunk could barely breathe. Still, he managed to keep things under control. Looked like all of that on-the-set training was working to his advantage. Besides, these Hollywood types probably hid behind all sorts of doors to get away from flighty fans.
    Just then—and I watched this in slow motion from the best seat in the house, so I got the full effect—Brock put his hand up to his nose and began that heaving motion that comes right before a person sneezes. I watched him bob his head three or four times in total silence. Then, when he blew . . . he blew. I’d never heard anyone sneeze that loudly before. The jolt caused the door to shoot back, knocking Sophia a good foot or two from where she’d started.
    “W-what in the world?” She pulled the door forward. “Just what do you think you’re—”
    That was it. We lost her after that. Sophia took one look at Brock Benson and turned into a babbling idiot. She began to rant—in perfect Italian—about the man who now stood before her. To his credit, Brock stepped from behind the door, took her hand, and kissed it. I’d never actually seen anyone swoon before, but I’m pretty sure Sophia did. And then Brock did the unthinkable. He responded to her—in perfect Italian.
    Oy, were we in trouble!
    My sister’s cheeks flushed, and she began to fuss with her long mane of hair. “What are you . . . ? I mean, how are you . . . ? And why are you . . . ?” She tried multiple times and multiple ways to get her questions out, but it just wasn’t happening. Still, it was fun to watch her try. Made me wish I had a video camera going so I could replay it for her later.
    “Brock Benson.” He continued to hold her hand as he introduced himself.
    I could see her hand shaking in his, but he didn’t seem to mind. Likely he got this a lot. “Sophia Rossi,” she managed. After a few more seconds of staring, she finally turned to me. “Th-this is like some sort of a miracle! But, h-how did it happen?” she whispered. “Do the others know?”
    “I guess the cat’s out of the bag,” Rob said with a shrug. “Brock is the first knight in our wedding.”
    “First knight?” Sophia’s brow wrinkled.
    “Best man,” Rob said. “But we’d planned to keep it a secret.”
    “We will keep it a secret,” I echoed, giving Sophia a warning look. “We’ll go to our graves with this secret.”
    She crossed her heart and held up two fingers. “Girl Scouts’ honor.” The whole room hung in suspended silence for a good thirty seconds while my sister stared at the handsome